Evonne_Benedict

When I finished this book, my eyes were full of happy tears and my heart was full.
Whistler is the story of an ordinary family that is pulled apart by a secret and an accident.

Years later, one of the young daughters (now grown) happens to runs into the stepfather she loved and lost. And then they begin their relationship anew.

The stepfather, Eddie, is one of the kindest humans I've ever run across in literature and his kindness spreads far and wild.

This leads to healing years in the making and spread over many family members and friends. Don't worry, it is not sappy!

It may make you think of your own life and whether there are regrets you can still set to rights.
All the stars and all the hearts for 'Whistler!'

Middle aged Kate is grieving a sudden death when she gets another shock - a widely popular TV series mimics the intimate lives of her and her husband. How did this happen? Did her husband kiss and tell or??? When Kate sets out to uncover the truth she discovers an old and painful connection to the author of the series.

That author - Phoebe - has some tricks up her sleeve, but then mysterious things happen that seem to point to her own husband's secret life. The story is a who-done-it what-done-it why-done-it - well told and kept me engaged throughout. A definite strong 4 stars from me!

Anna falls for two totally different men in this book - first the much older Peter, who she eventually marries. Peter is not an attentive husband, but that's okay with Anna who lives much of her life in her mind and in her favorite literature. But then it all falls apart.
Anna's second love is a much more attentive man, Karim, who also introduces Anna to his Muslim faith. She feels she has finally found mutual love and peace, or has she? Anna then turns her feelings of love toward herself to discover who she really is and what she really wants in her life.

The Wilderness is the story of a group of women friends over a span of several years. These women of color stretch from coast to coast; from single to paired; from successful to still trying out different paths. This book reminded me why I love reading so much: it took me to places I might never go, and introduced me to people I may never meet, with lives and loves and challenges unlike my own. There's a lot going on in this book but it ends on just the right note.

4.5 stars for The Coast Road by Alan Murrin coming out on June 4.

It's been a long time since I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning reading a book, but this one kept me up well past midnight.

The women in the story all have troubled marriages - one has left her family, one considers leaving her family, one should probably leave her family.
The stories and fates intertwine in a small Irish town on the coast, where they all struggle to be their authentic selves, while dealing with the demands of their husbands and children.

I loved these characters, particularly the frustrated Izzy, who needs more than her current life gives her but isn't sure how to go about getting it.
And then there's Colette, who left her husband and children to live her authentic life, but is still struggling due to internal and external constraints.
And finally there is Dolores, who is fighting to keep her family together by ignoring her husband's wandering eyes and body.

This year I seem to be drawn to Irish novels (not on purpose) and here's another great one with an important story. Any one of us who has dealt with the expectations and constraints that women sometimes (often?) face will relate to this compelling story!
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperVia for the advance readers copy, this review is my opinion.

This is a fantastical story of two sisters and the power of the mountain they live on. At first the plot seems straightforward - two hikers are murdered near the trail on the mountain and the young sisters are caught up in the community's search for the suspect. But they are chasing other demons - some which are visible and some which are not. This isn't my usual genre, but I was quickly wrapped up in Sheila and Angie's story and grew to love and admire both these very different girls. I didn't really understand parts of what was going on (did it really happen or was it only in their imaginations?) but I was compelled to suspend belief and go with the story. Will definitely recommend to friends who like thrillers and fantasy!